Attachment for car-steps.



J. A. CHAPMAN.

ATTACHMENT FOR CAR STEPS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1914.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l awe/Wm J H C HfiPMfiN THi; NORRIS PETERS c0 -LITHO.. WASHINGION. D L

J. A. CHAPMAN.

ATTACHMENT FOR GAB. STEPS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 3, 1914 Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETSPSHEET 2.

. A 62: g r; k amwm 5 5 J-P-CHHPM6N JOHN A. CHAPMAN, OF IBIGELOW, ARKANSAS.

ATTACHMENT FOR CAR-STEPS.

Application filed June 3, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN A. CHAPMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bigelow, in the county of Perry and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attachments for Car-Steps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. I V

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in attachments for car steps and more particularly to what will be hereinafter known as an extension car step, the main object of the present invention being the provision of a movable step which can be quickly and easily lowered when passengers are getting of or on the train and, at the same time can be quickly returned to its inoperative position, when not in use.

Another object ofthe present invention is the provision of an extension car step of the above character which will possess advantages in points of efficiency and durability, is inexpensive to manufacture and, at the same time, is simple in construction and operation.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an extension car step, illustrating the manner of operating the same. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the step member; and Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, the operating parts thereof being eliminated.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 1 indicates the car platform and extending downwardly from the end thereof are the usual stationary car steps 2. Arranged .directly beneath the lower one of the steps 2, is'a movable step member 3 which is supported by means of the movable bars 4, the lower ends of which are disposed horizontally, as shown at 5 and secured to the underside of the step member 3. The upper ends of the bars 4: are slidably mounted within 7 the channel bars 6 which are secured to the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Serial No. 842,739.

in which'the brace rods 8 are adapted to work.

The rods 8 are secured at one end to the bars 4, while the other ends thereof are secured to the bolts 9 which are adapted to work within the slots 10 formed in the actuating arms 11, said arms having enlarged end portions which are provided with trans verse openings to receive the supporting shaft 12. The arms 11 are secured to the shaft 12 by means of the set screws 13, so that the arms will move. with the rotation of the shaft.

The shaft 12 is supported beneath the platform 1 by means of the vertical bars 14, the upper ends of which are disposed at right angles and secured to the under face of the platform. Mounted upon one end of the shaft 12, is an arm 15, one end of which is securely held in place by means of the set screw 16 which connects the arm to the shaft so that the arm will be actuated upon the rotation of the shaft. The other end of the arm is provided with a plurality of openings 17 and adapted to be removably arranged within said openings, is a bolt 18 which is carried by one end of the connect ing bar 19, the other end of said bar being pivotally connected to the lower end of the actuating lever 20.

The actuating lever 20 is pivotally mounted upon the platform 1 and is provided with a spring actuated pawl 21 which is adapted to engage the rack bar 22 and retain the movable step member 3 in a raised or lowered position. In order that the step may be readily returned to its normal position, I provide the coil springs 23, one of the ends of which is secured to the lower face of the platform 1 while the lower ends thereof are step member 3 to its normal or raised position.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be apparent that 1 have provided a simple and durable extension step which can be readily applied to any make of passenger car in use and which can be quickly loweredwhen the passengers are ascending or descending the steps, thus doing away with the usual stool or portable step in use at the present time. It will also be apparent that I have provided a device of the above character which is extremely simple in its construction and at the same time can be manufactured and placed upon the market at a comparatively low cost.

WhileI have. shown and described the preferred form bf my invention, it will be obvious that various changes in the details of construction and in the proportions may be resortedto for successfully oarryin" my invention into practice, without sacri cling any of the novel featuresor departing from the scope-of the appended claims.

V JVhile I have shown and described the device as constructed for manualoperation, it will be apparent that the device may be slightly altered 'SQtfhflt compressed air may be utilized for operating the device or any other source of power such as electricity; which is carried by the train upon which the device is used. e a Y c it Having thus described this invention, What p I claim is r 1 An extension step for cars and other vehicles, comprising parallel guide bars adapted to be secured to the under side of the permanent steps of a car, and formed on their under, sides withlon itudinal slots;

bars slidably located in the, 'rst named bars and provided at their lower extremity with an auxiliary step; parallel vertical bars adaptedto be secured to the under side of a car platform and having a horizontal shaft journaled therein; longitudinally slotted Copies of this patent may be obtained for arms; and brace rods also secured at one end to the traveling bolts and at the other end to the step carrying bars and at an angle to the first named brace bars, whereby through the vibration of the operating lever, the auxiliary step may be raised or lowered.

2. In an extensionst'ep such as described, comprising step carrying barsv slidably mounted in; slotted guide bars and with brace rods extending from the step carrying bars to bolts slidably mounted in .SlOttBd arms secured to an operating shaft, connected by suitable means to a vibrative lever; coil springs having one endconnected with the slotted arms and the opposite end connected to the shaft support whereby the auxiliary step may be automatically raised as hereinbefore set forth. I I

. In tes mony wher of I her n o afli y signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. CHAPMAN. Witnesses: 1 t

W. E. GLASCO, W. E. LIVELY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). G. 

